LOS ANGELES — Members of the community gathered to celebrate Ukrainian art and culture at the First “Cinema of Resilience” Ukrainian Documentary Film Festival over the weekend. The three-day film festival, which showcased 12 award-winning documentaries, wrapped up Sunday at the Ukrainian Cultural Center of Los Angeles.
The festival fell on the same weekend as U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva for peace discussions aimed at bringing an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the discussions productive.
People attending the festival from Ukraine said President Donald Trump’s proposed deal is not the answer to the war in Ukraine.
“How could you possibly ask Ukraine to do what you’re asking them to do? Give up land, give up this, give up that. They’re the victims; they didn’t ask for this war. Russia attacked Ukraine; it was not provoked. It’s inexcusable, this is not a peace deal,” film producer Luba Keske told Spectrum News.
One of the festival’s organizers, Valentyna Levytsky, who was in Kyiv when Russia started the war says Ukraine has come too far to give up now.
“We cannot lose our state, Ukraine. We’ve been fighting for centuries for our freedom and we cannot give up,” Levytsky said.
Films shown at the festival highlighted how “ordinary Ukrainians face danger, persevere, and maintain hope and offer a window into their lives, their culture, and the unbreakable spirit of a nation,” according to the Ukrainian Culture Center.
“The idea for this Festival was first introduced at a Ukrainian Art Center meeting by our colleague and member Luba Keske and embraced by our membership. With that vision, and in partnership with the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America and Ukrainian Culture Center, we are proud to present a program that reflects the spirit and resilience of Ukraine,” Daria Chaikovsky, president of the Ukrainian Art Center, said in a statement.
Film shown at the First Ukrainian Documentary Film Festival in Los Angeles. (Spectrum News)